Apparatus for processing electrical connection terminal for coaxial cable

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for processing of an electrical connection terminal for a coaxial cable, wherein the processing is automated and further laborsaving can be achieved in the processing operation. The apparatus comprises a tool means  11  for axially stripping an outer-side insulator layer  5  in a terminal portion of a coaxial cable  1  by a predetermined length and supporting the stripped terminal portion of the coaxial cable, a turn means for tilting an axis A x1  of the tool means by an angle of α degrees with respect to an axis A x2  of the coaxial cable to thereby turn the tool means, and an advancing/retreating means for advancing/retreating the tool means on the axis of the coaxial cable, wherein a clearance is provided between an inner-side insulator layer  3  and a mesh-type conductor layer  4  by turning the tool means using the turn means to thereby expand the mesh-type insulator layer into a conical shape  6.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a coaxial cable, which is an electricwire for communication system, of such a type that a core wire iscovered by a different mesh-type conductor layer in a coaxialcylindrical manner, more particularly to a method and apparatus forprocessing an electrical connection terminal for the coaxial cable.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

As well known, a coaxial cable is often used in a communication system.A typical coaxial cable has such a constitution that a core wire(internal conductor) has a different mesh-type conductor layer (externalconductor) around it organized in a coaxial cylindrical manner via aninner-side insulator layer, the mesh-type conductor layer being coveredby an outer-side insulator layer. The coaxial cable has the followingproblems particularly in forming an electrical connection terminal withrespect to the mesh-type conductor layer: 1) layers of the mesh-typeconductor layer are so closely attached to the inner-side insulatorlayer with no clearance therebetween that it is difficult to insert aworking tool between the mesh-type conductor layer and the inner-sideinsulator layer, 2) the mesh-type conductor layer is so closely woven ina mesh-like manner that it cannot be dissolved in a simple manner, 3) itis necessary for the mesh-type conductor layer to be folded because anentire circumference thereof has to be evenly dissolved for an evendissolution, whereas the mesh-type conductor layer is not easily folded,and the like. Therefore, it requires such a complicated process and alengthened time to form the electrical connection terminal.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a methodof and apparatus for processing the electrical connection terminal forthe coaxial cable, wherein the processing with respect to the electricalconnection terminal for the coaxial cable is automated to realize aneasier and more reliable processing so that laborsaving can be promotedfor the processing operation with respect to the electrical connectionterminal for the coaxial cable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in order to achieve the foregoing object,basically offers a method of processing an electrical connectionterminal for a coaxial cable, wherein a core wire (internal conductor)has a different mesh-type conductor layer (external conductor) around itorganized in a coaxial cylindrical manner via an inner-side insulatorlayer, the mesh-type conductor layer being covered by an outer-sideinsulator layer. The method of processing the electrical connectionterminal for the coaxial cable comprises a step of axially stripping theouter-side insulator layer in a terminal portion of the coaxial cable bya predetermined length, to thereby provide a clearance between theinner-side insulator layer and the mesh-type conductor layer so that themesh-type conductor layer is expanded into a conical shape, supportingby a tool means the stripped terminal portion of the coaxial cable, andtilting an axis of said tool means by an angle of α degrees with respectto an axis of said coaxial cable to thereby turn said tool means; and astep of folding the mesh-type conductor layer expanded into the conicalshape outside of the outer-side insulator layer, for folding outside ofsaid outer-side insulator layer said mesh-type conductor layer by anadvancing/retreating means on the tool means.

Further, the present invention offers an apparatus for processing theelectrical connection terminal for the coaxial cable, wherein the corewire (internal conductor) has the different mesh-type conductor layer(external conductor) around it organized in the coaxial cylindricalmanner via the inner-side insulator layer, the mesh-type conductor layerbeing covered by the outer-side insulator layer. The apparatus forprocessing the electrical connection terminal for the coaxial cablecomprises a tool means for axially stripping the outer-side insulatorlayer in the terminal portion of the coaxial cable by the predeterminedlength and supporting the stripped terminal portion of the coaxialcable, a turn means for tilting an axis of the tool means with respectto an axis of the coaxial cable by an angle of α degrees to thereby turnthe tool means, and an advancing/retreating means for advancing andretreating the tool means on the axis of the coaxial cable, interfacingthe axis of said tool means with the axis of said coaxial cable, whereinthe clearance is provided between the inner-side insulator layer and themesh-type conductor layer by turning the tool means using the turn meansto thereby expand the mesh-type conductor layer into the conical shapeso that the mesh-type conductor layer expanded into the conical shape isfolded outside of the outer-side insulator layer in response to theforward motion by the advancing/retreating means.

The present invention further offers the apparatus for processing theelectrical connection terminal for the coaxial cable, wherein the toolmeans is comprised of a tool member, and the tool member is comprised ofan outer-side cylindrical member supported by the advancing/retreatingmeans and an inner-side cylindrical member axially supported in anexpanding and energizing manner inside of the outer-side cylindricalmember and supporting the stripped terminal portion of the coaxialcable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view for describing an essential step in a method of andapparatus for processing an electrical connection terminal for a coaxialcable according to the present invention.

FIG. 1A ₁ is a schematic perspective view of a state in which anouter-side insulator layer is stripped. FIG. 1A ₂ is a schematic sideview of the stripped state, showing a mesh-type conductor layer alone insection. FIG. 1B ₁ is a schematic perspective view of a state in whichthe mesh-type conductor layer is expanded into a conical shape, and FIG.1B ₂ is a schematic side view thereof. FIG. 1C ₁ is a schematicperspective view of a state in which the mesh-type conductor layer isfolded outside of the outer-side insulator layer, and FIG. 1C ₂ is aschematic side view thereof.

FIGS. 2 and 3 is a view illustrating a step of folding the mesh-typeconductor layer by means of the apparatus for processing the electricalconnection terminal for the coaxial cable according to the presentinvention. FIG. 2A is a schematic plane view showing an initial state inwhich a tool member of the apparatus according to the present inventionis set with respect to the coaxial cable. FIG. 2B is a schematic planeview showing a state in which the tool member of the apparatus accordingto the present invention is shifted in angle and turned to therebyexpand the mesh-type conductor layer into the conical shape. FIG. 2C isa schematic plane view illustrating an enlarged main part of the stateillustrated in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A is a schematic plane view illustrating a state in which the toolmember is returned to the initial set position. FIG. 3B is a schematicplane view illustrating a state in which the tool member is advanced tothereby further expand the mesh-type conductor layer. FIG. 3C is aschematic plane view illustrating a state in which the tool member isadvanced to thereby fold the mesh-type conductor layer outside of theouter-side insulator layer by means of an outer-side cylindrical member.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view illustrating an example of theapparatus for processing the electrical connection terminal for thecoaxial cable according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plane view of the apparatus according to thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a method of and apparatus forprocessing an electrical connection terminal for a coaxial cableaccording to the present invention is described referring to theforegoing drawings. In the present invention, a coaxial cable 1 subjectto processing has such a constitution that a core wire 2 (internalconductor) has a different mesh-type conductor layer 4 (externalconductor) around it organized in a coaxial cylindrical manner via aninner-side insulator layer 3, and the mesh-type conductor layer 4 iscovered by an outer-side insulator layer 5. The mesh-type conductorlayer 4 of the coaxial cable 1 is formed from a large number of thinconductor wires woven in a mesh-like manner, which are too tightlyorganized to be easily dissolved. The mesh-type conductor layer 4 isformed to closely overlap the inner-side insulator layer 3.

In the formation of the electrical connection terminal on a terminalside of the coaxial cable 1 having the foregoing constitution, there isno problem in forming an electrical connection portion 2 a with respectto the core wire 2 which is the internal conductor, while it is verydifficult to form an electrical connection portion 4 a with respect tothe mesh-type conductor layer 4 which is the external conductor. Aprocess required in order to form the electrical connection portion 4 ain a terminal portion of the mesh-type conductor layer 4 of the coaxialcable 1, is that, first, the outer-side insulator layer 5 is axiallystripped by a predetermined length so that the mesh-type conductor layer4 is exposed, and a short while later, the mesh-type conductor layer 4is dissolved evenly throughout a circumference thereof and also foldedoutside of the outer-side insulator layer 5, to thereby provide aconductor layer formed from the mesh-type conductor as uniform aspossible around an outer periphery of the outer-side insulator layer 5.

The present invention has its object in automating such a complicatedand difficult operation in an extremely effective manner and provides aspecific method and apparatus to achieve the object. An example of abasic step of the method of processing the electrical connectionterminal for the coaxial cable according to the present invention isfirst described referring to FIG. 1. In the method of processing theelectrical connection terminal for the coaxial cable 1 according to thepresent invention, as a first step, the outer-side insulator layer 5 inthe terminal portion of the coaxial cable 1 is axially stripped by thepredetermined length (see FIGS. 1 A₁ and 1 A₂). In the foregoing state,the mesh-type conductor layer 4 is gradually expanded while providing aclearance, which is even throughout a circumference thereof, between theinner-side insulator layer 3 and the mesh-type conductor layer 4 of thecoaxial cable 1, to be thereby arranged in a conical shape 6 (see FIGS.1B ₁ and 1B₂). Second, the mesh-type conductor layer 4 expanded into theconical shape is pushed to further expand so that the mesh-typeconductor layer 4 is finally folded outside of the outer-side insulatorlayer 5 to form a folded exposure portion 7 (see FIGS. 1C ₁ and 1C₂).

The processing method according to the present invention has twoimportant aspects. One of them is that the mesh-type conductor layer 4is gradually expanded while providing the clearance, which iscircumferentially even, between the inner-side insulator layer 3 and themesh-type conductor layer 4 of the coaxial cable 1, to be therebyarranged in the conical shape 6. In the present invention, a means forexpanding the mesh-type conductor layer 4 into the conical shape 6employs a method in respective illustrations of FIG. 2. According to themethod, first, the portion, which is axially stripped by thepredetermined length, of the outer-side insulator layer 5 in theterminal portion of the coaxial cable 1 is supported by a tool memberdescribed later, and an axis A_(x1) of the tool member is tilted by anangle of α degrees with respect to an axis A_(x2) of the coaxial cable 1to thereby turn the tool member so that the mesh-type conductor layer 4is expanded evenly throughout the circumference thereof into the conicalshape 6.

The other important aspect of the processing method according to thepresent invention is that the mesh-type conductor layer 4 expanded intothe conical shape is folded outside of the outer-side insulator layer 5to thereby form the folded exposure portion 7. According to the presentinvention, a means for folding the mesh-type conductor layer 4 outsideof the outer-side insulator layer 5 employs a method illustrated inrespective illustrations of FIG. 3. In the method, after the mesh-typeconductor layer 4 is expanded into the conical shape 6 as described, theshaft line A_(x1) of the tool member is interfaced with the shaft lineA_(x2) of the coaxial cable 1, and the mesh-type conductor layer 4 ispushed to be further expanded with the advancement of the tool member sothat the mesh-type conductor layer 4 is finally folded outside of theouter-side insulator layer 5 to thereby form the circumferentially evenfolded exposure portion 7.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a specific example of the processing apparatuscapable of realizing the method of processing the electrical connectionterminal for the coaxial cable according to the present invention. FIGS.2 and 3 show a specific constitution of the tool means of the apparatusaccording to the present invention and steps of the processing performedby the tool means.

An apparatus M for processing the electrical connection terminal for thecoaxial cable according to the present invention comprises a tool means11, the tool means 11 axially stripping the outer-side insulator layer 5in the terminal portion of the coaxial cable 1 by the predeterminedlength and supporting the stripped terminal portion of the coaxialcable, a turn means 12, the turn means 12 tilting the axis A_(x1) of thetool means 11 with respect to the axis A_(x2) of the coaxial cable 1 bythe angle of α degrees to thereby turn the tool means 11, and anadvancing/retreating means 13, the advancing/retreating means 13interfacing the axis A_(x1) of the tool means 11 with the axis A_(x2) ofthe coaxial cable to thereby advance or retreat the tool means 11 on theaxis A_(x2) of the coaxial cable, wherein the clearance is providedbetween the inner-side insulator layer 3 and the mesh-type conductorlayer 4 by turning the tool means 11 using the turn means 12 to therebyexpand the mesh-type conductor layer 4 into the conical shape 6, and themesh-type conductor layer 4 expanded into the conical shape 6 is foldedoutside of the outer-side insulator layer 5 in response to the forwardmotion by the advancing/retreating means 13 to thereby form thecircumferentially uniform folded exposure portion 7.

In the present invention, the tool means 11 is comprised of a toolmember 14, a specific constitution of which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.The tool member 14 is supported by a tool member support arm 15. Thetool member support arm 15 is, as shown in FIG. 2B, attached to a rotaryshaft 17 of a rotary drive source 16 serving to turn the tool member 14,which is tilted by the angle of α degrees with respect to the axisA_(x2) of the coaxial cable, around the axis A_(x2).

The turn means 12 including the rotary drive source 16 is installed in amounting body 18. The mounting body 18 is supported so as to berotatably positioned by a rotation means 20 including an actuator 19.The rotation means 20 includes a guide rail mechanism 21, and is capableof positioning the tool member 14, in response to the operation of theactuator 19, at a position shown in FIG. 2A (position where the axisA_(x1) of the tool member 14 is interfaced with the axis A_(x2) of thecoaxial cable) and a position shown in FIG. 2B (position where the axisA_(x1) of the tool member 14 is tilted by the angle of α degrees withrespect to the axis A_(x2) of the coaxial cable) via the mounting body18 and the turn means 12, and rotating in a reciprocating motion betweenthe two positions.

Further, in the present invention, the apparatus M for processing theelectrical connection terminal for the coaxial cable according to thepresent invention includes the advancing/retreating means 13. Theadvancing/retreating means 13 is comprised of, for example, anadvancing/retreating table 22, a reciprocating motion drive source 23,and a advancing/retreating guide 24. The advancing/retreating table 22of the advancing/retreating means 13 is provided with the rotation means20, mounting body 18, and turn means 12, and arranged to reciprocate thetool means 14 from a position shown in FIG. 3A to a position shown inFIG. 3C via the provided components therein.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the tool means 11 is comprised ofthe tool member 14. The tool member 14 is comprised of an outer-sidecylindrical member 25 supported by the advancing/retreating means 13 viathe tool member support arm 15 and an inner-side cylindrical member 27axially supported in an expanding and energizing manner by a springmeans 26 inside of the outer-side cylindrical member 25 and supportingthe stripped terminal portion of the coaxial cable 1.

When the tool member 14 having the foregoing constitution, at a positioninterfaced with the axis A_(x2) of the coaxial cable, is advanced fromthe position shown in FIG. 3A to the position shown in FIG. 3C by theadvancing/retreating means 13, the inner-side cylindrical member 27stops at the position shown in FIG. 3B, while the outer-side cylindricalmember 25, in response to the further advancement by theadvancing/retreating means 13, advances against an expanding andenergizing force of the spring means 26 and further pushes and expandsthe mesh-type conductor layer 4 to thereby fold the mesh-type conductorlayer 4 outside of the outer-side insulator layer 5 so that thecircumferentially uniform folded exposure portion 7 is formed. Areference numeral 28 in the drawings is a retaining member for retainingthe coaxial cable 1.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The method of and apparatus for processing the electrical connectionterminal for the coaxial cable having the foregoing constitutionaccording to the present invention can offer a very effective operationin that the processing of the electrical connection terminal for thecoaxial cable is automated to thereby implement the processing moreeasily and reliably, and further, labor saving can be achieved in theprocessing of the electrical connection terminal for the coaxial cable,wherein a core wire (internal conductor) has a different mesh-typeconductor layer (external conductor) around it organized in a coaxialcylindrical manner via an inner-side insulator layer, the mesh-typeconductor layer being covered by an outer-side insulator layer. Themethod of processing the electrical connection terminal for the coaxialcable comprises a step of axially stripping the outer-side insulatorlayer in an terminal portion of the coaxial cable by a predeterminedlength to thereby provide a clearance between the inner-side insulatorlayer and the mesh-type conductor layer so that the mesh-type conductorlayer is expanded into a conical shape, supporting by a tool means thestripped terminal portion of the coaxial cable, and tilting an axis ofsaid tool means by an angle of a degrees with respect to an axis of saidcoaxial cable to thereby turn said tool means; and a step of folding themesh-type conductor layer expanded into the conical shape outside of theouter-side insulator layer, for folding outside of said outer-sideinsulator layer said mesh-type conductor layer by anadvancing/retreating means on the tool means.

1. An apparatus for processing an electrical connection terminal for acoaxial cable; wherein a core wire (internal conductor) has a differentmesh-type conductor layer (external conductor) around the core wireorganized in a coaxial cylindrical manner via an inner-side insulatorlayer, the mesh-type conductor layer being covered by an outer-sideinsulator layer, the apparatus comprising: a tool means for axiallystripping the outer-side insulator layer in a terminal portion of thecoaxial cable by a predetermined length and supporting the strippedterminal portion of the coaxial cable; a turn means for tilting an axisof the tool means and the core wire by an angle of α degrees withrespect to an axis of the coaxial cable to thereby turn the tool means;and an advancing/retreating means for advancing and retreating the toolmeans on the axis of the coaxial cable, interfacing the axis of saidtool means with the axis of said coaxial cable, wherein a clearance isprovided between the inner-side insulator layer and the mesh-typeconductor layer by turning the tool means using the turn means tothereby expand the mesh-type insulator layer into a conical shape sothat the mesh-type conductor layer expanded into the conical shape isfolded outside of the outer-side insulator layer in response to aforward motion by the advancing/retreating means, wherein the tool meansis comprised of a tool member, and the tool member is comprised of anouter-side cylindrical member supported by the advancing/retreatingmeans and an inner-side cylindrical member axially supported in anexpanding and energizing manner inside of the outer-side cylindricalmember and supporting the stripped terminal portion of the coaxialcable.